Match Report - Michael Knox

Image - Andy Bone, Sports Shots

Bucks Men began the defence of their National Counties Cluberly Championship title with a resounding 187-run win over Staffordshire in their Eastern Division 1 match at Chesham on Tuesday.

A stellar all-round performance from Bertie Foreman and excellent bowling displays from skipper Conner Haddow plus seamers Tom Weymes and Ed Bragg saw Bucks home with more than three hours to spare in this three-day match. 

It did not look good for Bucks on the first morning when they slipped to 36-4 after choosing to bat first. With the ball darting about on the green pitch, Bucks looked in trouble, but were rescued by Foreman with 51 and later support from George Harvey (31) and Bragg (44), and reached a respectable 211 from 53.1 overs. 

The Staffordshire top order also struggled, slumping to 44-5 against inspired bowling from Weymes and Bragg. Dan Lincoln, whose brother Josh was playing for Bucks (and whom he caught), led the resistance with a dogged 43 from 153 balls, but the tail collapsed, and they were all out for 143 - a deficit of 68.

At the age of 35, Weymes (5-56) returned his first five-wicket haul for Bucks and was later awarded his county cap. Bragg collected 4-41 as the seamers dominated.

In their second innings, Bucks built on their lead with most batters passing 20. Foreman again led the way with 60 from 49 balls, while Matt Pardoe  (47) and Josh Lincoln, whose 37 came off just 15 balls with a six and seven fours, helped Bucks to declare just before the close on 316-9.

This left Staffordshire all the final day to reach their formidable target of 385. Skipper James Kettleborough gave them a good start with 55, and they passed 100 with only three wickets down.

But it all went wrong after lunch as they lost four wickets for one run in 17 balls to the spin of Foreman and Haddow. Some lusty hitting from the tail extended the game, but they were eventually out for 195 around 3pm. Haddow returned 5-45 in 21.2 overs, while Foreman took 4-54 off 11, as spinners ruled the roost on this excellent pitch in the second innings.

Five players made their Championship debuts for Bucks, namely Pardoe, Foreman, Josh Lincoln, Aum Raykar and new signing from Middlesex, Aaryan Sawant.

Bucks Men's next game in the Championship is against Northumberland on July 26-28. The venue has been switched from Jesmond to nearby Benwell Hill.

Scorecard

Highlights